Labrador Retrievers are the most popular dog breed in recent history according to the American Kennel Club. Most people keep them as companion pets but what the dog breed was initially bred for was used in hunting as a retrieval dog. Another very impressive hunting dog is the Pointer. These dogs are skilled at literally pointing at hiding prey using their noses. For hunting dog enthusiasts, there is probably no designer dog pairing as interesting and exciting as the Labrador pointer.
Pointadors are mixed breed dogs developed from Labrador Retrievers and Pointers. The two parent breeds share a few similarities in terms of physical appearance and temperament trait. This makes the features of the resulting mix more predictable than with other mixed dogs.
If you are interested in getting what is probably the ultimate hunting companion, you have come to the right place. In the sections below we shall take a closer look at the most important things you need to know about a Labrador Pointer mix.
How Big Will A Lab Pointer Mix Get?
A Pointador is a mix between a Labrador Retriever and a Pointer.
Labradors and Pointers have different builds with the pointer being tall and lean and the Labrador being a bit stockier. The choice of which breed will be the artificially inseminated female depends on the size of the two dogs involved.
With most dog mix breeds, it may be difficult to predict what the resulting puppies will look like. This is not the case with offspring from the Labrador and Pointer pairing as the two dog breeds have a lot of features in common. Here are a few physical traits you may find in your Pointador.
Size
The weight of a Pointador ranges from 35 to 80 lbs, and its height can be anywhere between 22 and 28 inches. The actual size will depend on genetics and which of the two parents the Labrador Pointer mix takes after.
Facial Features
At first glance, the Labrador and Pointer dog breeds are very similar-looking when it comes to facial and skull features. There are only a few subtle differences, like the elevated nose and brow features of the pointer and the larger ears on a Lab.
Other than that, you could expect a dog with a wide forehead, large and wide-set eyes, a long snout, and long droopy ears.
Coat Traits
This may be the only unpredictable feature you can expect from your Labrador Pointer doggy. The coat is usually short and dense, as is the case with both parents.
However, when it comes to color, you may either have the single-colored yellow, black, or chocolate from the Lab or one of up to 8 different colors and combinations from the Pointer.
How Long Do Pointer Labs Live?
Pointer Labradors live for about 10 to 15 years.
This is the case especially if they end up on the lower end of the weight and height ranges. One of the main reasons for such a long lifespan on a medium-sized dog is the fact that mixing eliminates some breed-specific health issues.
However, this does not mean that the Pointador is left completely healthy and risk-free. They may inherit some health issues, especially problems that are common to both the Pointer and Labrador breeds. Here are these common health issues you should know about.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common condition in medium and large dog breeds, including the Pointer and Labrador, which is why you are likely to find it in your Pointador pooch.
The condition is primarily caused by abnormal formation of joint sockets, mainly in the hip but also sometimes in the elbow. This affects the dog’s quality of life by limiting its mobility and causing pain.
Obesity
Despite being active, outdoorsy dogs, Pointer Labrador mixes are prone to developing obesity. This is the case, especially when they have joint issues or other causes of exercise intolerance that lower their activity levels.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the Pointador’s thyroid glands fail to produce enough thyroid hormones. One of the biggest changes you will notice is weight gain, as hormones play a huge role in metabolism.
Skin Allergies
This is more common in the Pointer side of the family. Some of the common triggers include pollen, some fabrics, non-hypoallergenic grooming products, and parasites like mites and fleas. Good grooming does wonders to help prevent and reverse the effects of these reactions.
How To Take Care Of Pointer Lab Mixes?
Pointer Lab mixes are fantastic family pets and for first time owners mainly because they are so easy to take care of.
This will allow you or your family to get to learn how to take care of the dog without being overwhelmed with too much responsibility too soon.
This, however, does not mean that there is no work to be done. If you have no idea where to start caring for your Pointer Labrador mix, here are some awesome care tips that will come in handy.
Get Your Pointador On A Healthy Diet
Your Pointer Lab’s diet affects a lot of aspects of their lives from the length to the quality of life. It is particularly important to be careful about what and how much you feed your Pointador if they are unwell.
Ideally, they should have about 2 to 3 cups of food spread out over 3 meals in a day when they are adults. The food should be made with natural, high-quality ingredients and should be in appropriate proportions to support their daily energy needs and general well-being.
Pet Plate is the best way to go if you want your dog eating right, as they customize their menus to your dog’s specific needs.
Make Exercise Sessions Fun
Pointadors are generally active but they can very easily get bored especially with repetitive exercises. Make things a bit interesting using the iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers For Dogs which allows you to increase and reduce the launch range to switch things up a little during playtime.
Find A Routine Vet Visit Schedule That Works For The Pointador
Your Labrador Retriever Pointer mixed dog could use a once or twice yearly vet visit for simple checkups. It is important to stick to this routine even when the dog seems ok as it allows for early detection and management of issues you may have missed until it was too late.
Invest In Dental Water Additives
Finally, invest in your Pointador’s dental hygiene using dental water additives. These are made with herbs and other ingredients that not only help with bad breath but may also get rid of cavity-causing germs in the mouth.
Are Lab Pointer Mixes Aggressive? Temperaments Of Pointer Lab Mixes
Pointers and Labrador Retrievers had very different tasks in their days as working dogs. This led to them developing some subtly different temperament traits that may be passed down to your Pointer Labrador mix. Here are a few of these characteristics.
Intelligent
Pointer Labrador doggies are very smart and responsive to commands. This makes them not only great working dogs but also fantastic companions. You just have to take your time teaching them all the skills you need them to learn.
Focused
Lab Pointer mixes are also very focused dogs. This is a trait they most likely inherited from the Pointer whose job is to stay alert and focused on the prey. You may find your Pointador sometimes focused on the odd things from a bird outside your window to something on the TV.
Athletic And Active
Pointadors are very active and lively dogs with a lot of energy that they need to burn not only for their physical health but also for psychological engagement. This is why regular exercise is such a huge part of taking good care of a Pointer Lab mix.
Occasionally Stubborn
Despite being smart and responsive most of the time, Labrador Pointers have been known to occasionally get very stubborn and even destructive. This happens mainly when they do not get enough attention or physical exercise and end up getting frustrated.
Calm
If you want a dog for a family setting with young children, Pointadors might just be worth considering with their calm and even temper. They are particularly tolerant of children especially if the doggy is socialized from a young age.
Do Pointadors Shed? Grooming Tips For Pointer Lab Mixes
Pointadors unfortunately shed quite a lot which may not work out great if you have dog allergies.
This also means that you have to put in a lot of effort to keep their coats healthy and beautiful. Here are 3 of the most important things you need to know about Pointador’s coat care and grooming needs.
Brush The Pointador 2 To 3 Times A Week
One of the best ways to deal with the heavy shedding is regular brushing. This allows you to deshed the Pointer Labrador by getting rid of most of the loose fur hanging around on the coat.
You need a high-quality grooming tool for this, as Labrador Pointer mixes usually have thick coats. The FURminator Undercoat Tool is worth looking into for sure.
This grooming tool has strong metal bristles for effectiveness, a self-cleaning feature for convenience, and an ergonomic handle for your comfort.
Invest In High Coat Grooming Products
In addition to the regular brushing, schedule a wash once every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on whether or not your Pointador has irritated skin and whether or not they have a bad odor.
You should also take your time choosing the grooming products to ensure you get something that is both safe and effective at keeping your dog’s coat clean and beautiful.
Pro Pet Works All Natural Organic 5 In 1 Oatmeal Pet Shampoo and Conditioner would be a great product to check out if you want a shampoo that does it all, including conditioning the fur, relieving irritation, and deodorizing.
Keep The Dog’s Immediate Environment Clean
Finally, ensure that places in your home that your Pointador dog frequents are kept clean at all times. This is an important preventative measure for skin irritation by parasites like fleas and mites that thrive on dirt and pet dander accumulation.
Consider investing in the iRobot Roomba i3+, which is an automatic vacuum that is built to suction pet fur as well as other particulate matter on your floors.
Related Questions
Can You Teach A Lab To Point? You can teach a Labrador to point, but you will need a lot of time, patience, and proper skill. Pointing is not an instinct that comes naturally to many Labrador Retrievers that historically followed their human hunting companions and did little more than chasing and retrieving the prey once it was shot.
Can Pointers And Flushers Hunt Together? It is possible for pointers and flushers to hunt together. However, you need to take control of the situation to avoid the two dogs from clashing and interfering with each other’s tasks. The best way to do this is through obedience training, so you are working with responsive dogs that do not go off at will. It is also best to restrain the flusher as the pointer does its job.
How Long Do Pointer Mix Dogs Live? Pointer mix dogs live for about 10 to 15 years. The specific lifespan average depends on a number of factors, with the most important being what dog breed the Pointer is mixed with and the health status of the resulting cross pooch. How well you take care of the Pointer mix could also affect how long they live.
